Eagles secure first conference ‘W’

ELIZABETHTOWN — The Eagles of East Bladen used an explosive rushing attack to capture their first Four County Conference win of the season on homecoming night over Pender County, 46-6.

The win improves the eagles to 2-5 overall and 1-2 in the conference.

The two teams traded first-quarter touchdowns and missed extra points. East Bladen got its score on a 1-yard run by Isaiah Young.

But from there, the Eagles scored 40 unanswered points — including 28 in the second quarter — to quickly seal the win.

Farrell Murchison started the onslaught with a 48-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter. Jesus Ramos booted the point after for a 13-6 Eagles lead.

On the next possession, Jaylan Herring ran in from 6 yards out and Ramos again added the PAT for a 20-6 East Bladen edge.

The Eagles, as they often do, squib-kicked the kickoff and recovered the ball. Quarterback Ty McMillian then hit Alex Stephens with a 46-yard touchdown pass and Ramos split the uprights for a 27-6 Eagles lead.

The scoring in the half was closed out when East Bladen recovered a Patriots fumble and Murchison scored on a 4-yard run. Ramos kicked the PAT and the Eagles went into halftime with a 34-6 lead.

In the third quarter, Jimmy Campbell exploded for a 72-yard touchdown and, though the extra point was missed, East Bladen’s lead grew to 40-6.

As Eagles coach Robby Priest began to empty his bench, former jayvee player Marquel McKoy put East Bladen on the scoreboard one last time with a 16-yard, fourth-quarter touchdown to cap the 46-6 win.

Murchison led the eagles on the ground with 190 yards rushing on 13 carries. Campbell followed with 93 yards on just three carries, an Herring had 79 yards on 13 carries.

Through the air, McMillian was 2-for-6 for 59 yards. Stephens caught both passes.